The new chair of the historical child abuse inquiry, Lowell Goddard, has launched an investigation into the sexual abuse of 1,400 young girls in Rotherham alongside claims of an alleged Westminster VIP paedophile ring.

Sex abuse in Rotherham

Judge Goddard has launched the criminal inquiry after a report found that Rotherham city Council is ‘not fit for purpose’ and still ‘in denial’ about girls as young as 11 being left to be abused by a gang of Asian men between 1997 and 2013.

A previous investigation into the 16-year abuse scandal, where an estimate of 1400 girls were victims of the paedophile ring, found that Rotherham council had gone to ‘lengths to cover up information’, and South Yorkshire Police had turned a blind eye to the abuse.

Police were allegedly aware that one victim was ‘raped with a broken bottle’ and some girls were ‘ordered to kiss perpetrators’ feet at gun point’, yet failed to take action.

Historic child abuse in Westminster

In addition to the Rotherham scandal, Judge Goddard’s inquiry will investigate whether public bodies, including governments, charities, the Church and BBC, failed to protect children across Britain.

Allegations of at least five paedophile rings operating at the heart of Westminster in the 1970s and 1980s are currently under scrutiny, and a dossier submitted by Labour MP John Mann has named 22 politicians who may be linked to historical child abuse.

Judge Goddard told the BBC’s Today programme that the inquiry:

“Will be focused on not only the past experience of survivors but also on current situations such as this Rotherham report I am reading about and also about how we protect for the future and make sure these terrible abuses do not occur again.”

Taking action – advice and support from Hampson Hughes Solicitors

If you have experienced physical or sexual abuse in relation to either the Rotherham report or Westminster allegations, and you would like expert advice, we can help.

Our experienced Criminal Injuries & Abuse Team can offer expert guidance and valuable support going forward, and will ensure that your case remains confidential and that all guilty parties are held accountable.